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Laudes organi

Introduction

Laudes organi is Kodály’s last completed work. Commissioned by the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, it is subtitled ‘Fantasia on a XIIth century Sequence’. (The Latin sequence in question is from a twelfth-century manuscript in Engelberg Monastery, Switzerland.) This piece is notable for its imposing organ introduction and interludes, and for its assured integration of post-Lisztian chromatic harmony with the earlier vocal traditions of Western art music. Its triumphant conclusion marks a fitting end to the career of a composer whose contribution to the Hungarian choral tradition remains unrivalled.

Recordings

'Sumptuously recorded and delivered with obvious affection for the music, this is my personal record of the year … Westminster Cathedral Choir's ...'The intensity and focus of the treble voices, for which this choir is famed, brings a luminosity to Janacek's angular lines that compels attention ...» More

Listen to the chorus of the pipes the musical instrument of modern artists a paragon of melody which plays sweetly and sings full of praise which speaks short of words friendly and beneficial pleasantly modest.

So I advise you to stand still here and ask you urgently to listen to it with humble attention.

Musician! you must behave like a warrior. Let your craft hear and practise your art show the skill of your body and the dignity of your mind. Look after the bellows in advance to have enough air Standing still must be avoided watch out for that. When you have looked after this then let the sound hear with nimble fingers bring about the series of tones which have a pleasant sound.

The heavy choir below which makes itself heard sonorously the high voice sounds against choir and counterchoir in the series of tones after the melody of the organ. Now you must play the high ones now go to the low ones as with the lute